According to the Department of Health, the first 1 000 days – from the time of conception until the baby’s second birthday – is very important.
They say the 1 000 Days is a window of opportunity to make sure your baby and the child’s growth and development is the best it can be.
By the 1 000th day (second birthday) your baby’s brain would have reached 80% of his / her adult weight.
They advise that you start caring for your baby before birth. Your unborn baby draws nutrients from you.
Ensure you have a balanced healthy diet and lifestyle. Protect your child’s brain development from being harmed by violence in the home. Stimulate your child’s brain development by playing, listening and talking to your child. Smile, praise and hug your child every day.
They further say that between six months and two years your child is an explorer at this stage. He / she is getting to know the world they are living in. Enjoy it with him / her. Always make sure your child is safe. Steer them away from danger and be close to them at all times.
Here are a few ideas of how to stimulate your child:
Reading
Play music and sing, read and talk to your child. Read from storybooks and make it interesting by using your voice in different ways. Read nursery rhymes and stories with interesting animal sounds. Look at cardboard books with single pictures on a page especially animals. Join the library. Use books with baby’s first words in it, to give them the opportunity to “read” with you by pointing to a picture.
Gross and Fine Motor
Let your baby lie on his tummy on a clean soft blanket on the floor to help with muscle development. It is called “tummy time”. Stay with your baby. Help your baby to stretch. Put some toys on a blanket / play mat in front of him.
Encourage your child to help when getting dressed / undressed – for example, say “lift your arms.” Help your child to stand up and to move sideways, while holding onto furniture. When your child can walk, encourage him / her to explore his world.
Listen and talking
Hold and touch your baby. It will make him feel safe. Bond with your baby by giving plenty of cuddles, love and attention, as these are very important for a baby’s healthy development.
Use single words / short sentences when talking to your baby, e.g. “milk”, “want more?”, “All done!” Play in front of the mirror and talk about all your child’s body parts (tickle, touch, kiss).
Toys and books
Books (bath, touch / feel, cardboard pages), books, big shapes in contrasting colours will do wonders for a child’s development.
Rattles, soft toys (teddies, cubes, balls), plastic bath toys, noise makers (e.g. bells), soft teething toys that are safe. Use books with baby’s first words, lift-the-flap books, words with silly rhymes and animal sounds. – Source: Western Cape Department of Health.
